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ABSTRACT: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) regulate dendritic cell function and activate signals that mediate the nature of the adaptive immune response. The current study examined the role of TLRs in dendritic cell activation and in regulating T cell and antibody responses to antigens from the filarial parasites Onchocerca volvulus and Brugia malayi, which cause river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, respectively. Bone-marrow-derived CD11c(+) cells from C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice produced high levels of IL-6 and RANTES, and showed elevated surface CD40 expression, whereas CD11c(+) cells from myeloid differentiation factor 88(-/-) (MyD88(-/-)), TLR2(-/-) and TLR2/4(-/-) mice were not activated. Similarly, IFN-gamma production by splenocytes from immunized TLR2(-/-) mice was significantly impaired compared with splenocytes from C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice. In contrast, there was no difference among these strains in Th2-associated responses including IL-5 production by splenocytes from immunized animals, serum IgE and IgG(1), or eosinophil infiltration into the corneal stroma. Neutrophil recruitment to the cornea and CXC chemokine production was inhibited in immunized TLR2(-/-) mice compared with C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate an essential role for TLR2 in filaria-induced dendritic cell activation, IFN-gamma production and neutrophil migration to the cornea, but does not affect filaria-induced Th2-associated responses.
Parasite Immunology 10/2007; 29(9):455-65. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this review, we describe the pathogenic role of Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria in filarial diseases, focusing on the host innate immune responses to filarial and Wolbachia products. A description of the host pathogen recognition and early inflammatory responses including TLR4-mediated signalling, chemokine and cytokine responses and inflammatory cell recruitment is provided from human studies and from animal models of filarial disease. Finally, the impact of the discovery and characterization of Wolbachia on filarial research and treatment programmes is discussed.
Cellular Microbiology 03/2004; 6(2):97-104. · 5.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although production of specific Ab is a critical element of host defense, the presence of Ab in tissues leads to formation of immune complexes, which can trigger a type III Arthus reaction. Our studies on a mouse model of river blindness showed that Ab production is essential for recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the cornea and for development of corneal opacification. In the current study, we determined the relative contribution of complement and FcgammaR interactions in triggering immune complex-mediated corneal disease. FcgammaR(-/-) mice, C3(-/-) mice, and immunocompetent control (B6/129Sj) mice were immunized s.c. and injected intrastromally with Onchocerca volvulus Ags. Slit lamp examination showed that control mice, C3(-/-) mice, and control mice injected with cobra venom factor developed pronounced corneal opacification, whereas corneas of FcgammaR(-/-) mice remained completely clear. Furthermore, recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the corneal stroma was significantly impaired in FcgammaR(-/-) mice, but not in C3(-/-) mice or cobra venom factor-treated mice. We therefore conclude that FcgammaR-mediated cell activation, rather than complement activation, is the dominant pathway of immune complex disease in the cornea. These findings demonstrate a novel role for FcgammaR interactions in mediating ocular inflammation.
The Journal of Immunology 08/2001; 167(2):919-25. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Infiltration of granulocytes into the transparent mammalian cornea can result in loss of corneal clarity and severe visual impairment. Since the cornea is an avascular tissue, recruitment of granulocytes such as neutrophils and eosinophils into the corneal stroma is initiated from peripheral (limbal) vessels. To determine the role of vascular adhesion molecules in this process, expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 on limbal vessels was determined in a murine model of ocular onchocerciasis in which Ags from the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus are injected into the corneal stroma. Expression of each of these molecules was elevated after injection of parasite Ags; however, PECAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression remained elevated from 12 h after injection until 7 days, whereas VCAM-1 expression was more transient, with peak expression at 72 h. Subconjunctival injection of Ab to PECAM-1 significantly inhibited neutrophil recruitment to the cornea compared with eyes injected with control Ab (p = 0.012). Consistent with this finding, corneal opacification was significantly diminished (p < 0.0001). There was no significant reduction in eosinophils. Conversely, subconjunctival injection of Ab to ICAM-1 did not impair neutrophil recruitment, but significantly inhibited eosinophil recruitment (p = 0.0032). Injection of Ab to VCAM-1 did not significantly inhibit infiltration of either cell type to the cornea. Taken together, these results demonstrate important regulatory roles for PECAM-1 and ICAM-1 in recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils, respectively, to the cornea, and may indicate a selective approach to immune intervention.
The Journal of Immunology 07/2001; 166(11):6795-801. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils into the mammalian cornea can result in loss of corneal clarity and severe visual impairment. To identify mediators of granulocyte recruitment to the corneal stroma, we determined the relative contribution of chemokine receptors CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR)-2 (IL-8R homologue) and CCR1 using a murine model of ocular onchocerciasis (river blindness) in which neutrophils and eosinophils migrate from peripheral vessels to the central cornea. CXCR2(-/-) and CCR1(-/-) mice were immunized s.c. and injected into the corneal stroma with Ags from the parasitic helminth Onchocerca volvulus. We found that production of macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, KC, and MIP-1 alpha was localized to the corneal stroma, rather than to the epithelium, which was consistent with the location of neutrophils in the cornea. CCR1 deficiency did not inhibit neutrophil or eosinophil infiltration to the cornea or development of corneal opacification. In marked contrast, neutrophil recruitment to the corneas of CXCR2(-/-) mice was significantly impaired (p < 0.0001 compared with control, BALB/c mice) with only occasional neutrophils detected in the central cornea. Furthermore, CXCR2(-/-) mice developed only mild corneal opacification compared with BALB/c mice. These differences were not due to impaired KC and MIP-2 production in the corneal stroma of CXCR2(-/-) mice, which was similar to BALB/c mice. Furthermore, although MIP-1 alpha production was lower in CXCR2(-/-) mice than BALB/c mice, eosinophil recruitment to the cornea was not impaired. These observations demonstrate the critical role for CXCR2 expression in neutrophil infiltration to the cornea and may indicate a target for immune intervention in neutrophil-mediated corneal inflammation.
The Journal of Immunology 04/2001; 166(6):4035-41. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is a severe asthmatic syndrome of lymphatic filariasis, in which an allergic response is induced to microfilariae (Mf) in the lungs. Previously, in a murine model for TPE, we have demonstrated that recombinant interleukin-12 (IL-12) suppresses pulmonary eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by modulating the T helper (Th) response in the lungs from Th2- to Th1-like, with elevated gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) production and decreased IL-4 and IL-5 production. The present study examined the immunomodulatory roles of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in filaria-induced AHR and pulmonary inflammation using mice genetically deficient in these cytokines. C57BL/6, IL-4 gene knockout (IL-4(-/-)), and IFN-gamma(-/-) mice were first immunized with soluble Brugia malayi antigens and then inoculated intravenously with 200,000 live Mf. Compared with C57BL/6 mice, IL-4(-/-) mice exhibited significantly reduced AHR, whereas IFN-gamma(-/-) mice had increased AHR. Histopathologically, each mouse strain showed increased cellular infiltration into the lung parenchyma and bronchoalveolar space compared with naïve animals. However, consistent with changes in AHR, IL-4(-/-) mice had less inflammation than C57BL/6 mice, whereas IFN-gamma(-/-) mice had exacerbated pulmonary inflammation with the loss of pulmonary architecture. Systemically, IL-4(-/-) mice produced significantly higher IFN-gamma levels compared with C57BL/6 mice, whereas IFN-gamma(-/-) mice produced significantly higher IL-4 levels. These data indicate that IL-4 is required for the induction of filaria-induced AHR, whereas IFN-gamma suppresses AHR.
Infection and Immunity 04/2001; 69(3):1463-8. · 4.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Infection with the parasitic nematode Onchocerca volvulus can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness. In an effort to characterize the molecular basis for the inflammatory response in the cornea, we have developed a murine model for O. volvulus-mediated keratitis in which parasite antigens are injected into the corneal stroma of sensitized mice. This model reproduces the two main clinical features of human disease, corneal opacification and neovascularization. Histological analysis of corneas from these mice reveals a biphasic recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the central cornea, along with a small, but persistent number of CD3+ cells. In this review, we present evidence that production of antigen-specific T cell and antibody responses are essential for development of O. volvulus keratitis, and we propose a sequence of molecular and cellular events that lead to migration of inflammatory cells to the cornea and to loss of corneal clarity.
Parasite Immunology 01/2001; 22(12):625-31. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A murine model of helminth-induced keratitis (river blindness) that is characterized by a biphasic recruitment of neutrophils (days 1-3) and eosinophils (days 3+) to the cornea has been developed. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contribution of P- and E-selectin in recruitment of these inflammatory cells from limbal vessels to the corneal stroma.
P- and E-selectin gene knockout (-/-) mice were immunized with antigens extracted from the parasitic helminth Onchocerca volvulus. One week after the last immunization, parasite antigens were injected directly into the corneal stroma. Mice were killed on days 1 and 3 postchallenge, and eyes were immunostained with either anti-eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) or with anti-neutrophil Ab. The number of cells in the cornea was determined by direct counting.
Recruitment of eosinophils to the cornea was significantly impaired in P-selectin(-/-) mice (63.9% fewer eosinophils on day 1 [P: = 0.0015], and 61% fewer on day 3 [P: < 0.0001]) compared with control C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, P-selectin deficiency had no effect on neutrophil recruitment to the cornea. There was no inhibition of eosinophil and neutrophil migration to the corneas of E-selectin(-/-) mice, indicating that there is no direct role for this adhesion molecule in helminth-induced keratitis.
The present study demonstrates that P-selectin is an important mediator of eosinophil recruitment to the cornea. P-selectin interactions may therefore be potential targets for immunotherapy in eosinophil-mediated ocular inflammation.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 12/2000; 41(12):3856-61. · 3.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies demonstrated that in the murine model of Onchocerca volvulus keratitis, neutrophils and eosinophils are recruited into the cornea in a biphasic manner in response to intrastromal injection. To determine if CD4(+) T cells regulate migration of neutrophils and eosinophils into the cornea, CD4(+) cells were depleted using monoclonal antibody GK1.5 before intrastromal injection of parasite antigens. Depletion of CD4(+) cells abrogated corneal opacification at later but not early stages of disease. Consistent with this observation, CD4 depletion significantly impaired recruitment of eosinophils to the cornea but had no effect on neutrophils. These data indicate that CD4(+) T cells mediate sustained O. volvulus keratitis by regulating eosinophil recruitment to the cornea.
Infection and Immunity 10/2000; 68(9):5459-61. · 4.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The injection of Schistosoma mansoni eggs into the footpads of mice results in a localized Th2 cytokine response and tissue eosinophilia. We examined whether treatment with CD40-activating Abs would block the development of Th2 cytokine responses and eosinophilic tissue pathology in this model. Seven days after C57BL/6 mice were injected with eggs and the FGK45 anti-CD40 Ab, Ag-specific synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in lymph node culture was reduced (>10-fold) relative to control mice treated with eggs and rat IgG. In contrast, IFN-gamma and IL-12 were increased in both culture supernatants and in the serum. Similar changes in lymph node cytokine mRNA were observed in vivo, and tissue eosinophilia was reduced nearly 20-fold. Th2 cytokine responses in anti-CD40-treated IFN-gamma-/- and IL-12 p40-/- C57BL/6 mice were unaffected, although anti-CD40 induced high levels of systemic and local IFN-gamma production in both wild-type and IL-12 p40-/- mice. We conclude that CD40-activating treatments strongly reverse the immune phenotype generated in response to a classic, Th2-biasing stimulus and stimulate IFN-gamma through a novel IL-12-independent pathway. This model for Th1-deviating immune therapy may have relevance to the treatment of Th2-dependent diseases in general.
The Journal of Immunology 01/2000; 164(2):779-85. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Invasion of the corneal stroma by neutrophils and eosinophils and subsequent degranulation disrupts corneal clarity and can result in permanent loss of vision. In the current study, we used a model of helminth-induced inflammation to demonstrate a novel role for Ab in mediating recruitment of these inflammatory cells to the central cornea. C57BL/6 and B cell-deficient (microMT) mice were immunized s. c. and injected intrastromally with Ags from the parasitic helminth Onchocerca volvulus (which causes river blindness). C57BL/6 mice developed pronounced corneal opacification, which was associated with an Ag-specific IL-5 response and peripheral eosinophilia, temporal recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils from the limbal vessels to the peripheral cornea and subsequent migration to the central cornea. In contrast, the corneas of microMT mice failed to develop keratitis after intrastromal injection of parasite Ags unless Ags were injected with immune sera. Eosinophils were recruited from the limbal vessels to the peripheral cornea in microMT mice, but failed to migrate to the central cornea, whereas neutrophil recruitment was impaired at both stages. With the exception of IL-5, T cell responses and peripheral eosinophils were not significantly different between C57BL/6 and microMT mice. Taken together, these findings not only demonstrate that Ab is required for the development of keratitis, but also show that recruitment of neutrophils to the cornea is Ab-dependent, whereas eosinophil migration is only partially dependent upon Ab interactions.
The Journal of Immunology 12/1999; 163(9):4970-5. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In persons with onchocerciasis, topical application of the anthelminthic diethylcarbamazine (DEC) induces clinical and histologic responses similar to acute papular onchodermatitis, including recruitment of eosinophils to the skin. To determine whether the eosinophil chemokine eotaxin is likely to be associated with eosinophil recruitment in onchodermatitis, DEC was applied to a 5-cm2 area on the skin of infected persons, and biopsies were taken from lesions 24 h later. Histologic analysis showed elevated dermal and epidermal eosinophils compared with tissue from an adjacent (untreated) site. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that eotaxin gene expression in DEC-treated skin was elevated 2- to 17-fold compared with control tissue. Eotaxin immunoreactivity was noted in mononuclear cells and eosinophils in the perivascular region of the dermis and in lymphatic and vascular endothelial cells. Together, these observations are consistent with a role for eotaxin in recruitment of eosinophils to the dermis in early stage onchocercal skin disease.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases 11/1999; 180(4):1394-7. · 6.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Onchocerciasis is a major cause of blindness. Although the World Health Organization has been successful in reducing onchocerciasis as a public health problem in parts of West Africa, there remain an estimated 17 million people infected with Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite that causes this disease. Ocular pathology can be manifested in any part of the eye, although disease manifestations are frequently characterized as either posterior or anterior eye disease. This review focuses on onchocerca-mediated keratitis that results from an inflammatory response in the anterior portion of the eye and summarizes what is currently known about human disease. This review also describes studies with experimental models that have been established to determine the immunological mechanisms underlying interstitial keratitis. The pathogenesis of keratitis is thought to be due to the host inflammatory response to degenerating parasites in the eye; therefore, the primary clinical symptoms of onchocercal keratitis (corneal opacification and neovascularization) are induced after injection of soluble O. volvulus antigens into the corneal stroma. Experimental approaches have demonstrated an essential role for sensitized T helper cells and shown that cytokines can regulate the severity of keratitis by controlling recruitment of inflammatory cells into the cornea. Chemokines are also important in inflammatory cell recruitment to the cornea, and their role in onchocerciasis is being examined. Further understanding of the molecular basis of the development of onchocercal keratitis may lead to novel approaches to immunologically based intervention.
Clinical Microbiology Reviews 08/1999; 12(3):445-53. · 16.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The parasitic helminth Onchocerca volvulus causes ocular onchocerciasis (river blindness) and onchocercal skin disease. To understand the immunologic basis for early stage skin disease, we developed a model in which C57B1/6 mice were immunized subcutaneously and injected intradermally (in the ear) with soluble O. volvulus antigens (OvAg). We found that ear thickness increased significantly after intradermal injection of OvAg and remained elevated for at least 7 days. Dermatitis was dependent on prior immunization, and was associated with an intense cellular infiltrate in the dermis. Neutrophils were the predominant inflammatory cells in the dermis 12 hr after intradermal injection, with only occasional eosinophils present. Conversely, increased ear thickness at later time points was associated with eosinophils, and neutrophils were only rarely detected. Both cell types were present at intermediate time points. These data indicate that recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the skin is temporally regulated.
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 08/1999; 61(1):14-8. · 2.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Allograft rejection has been associated with detection of the type 1 lymphokines, IFN-gamma and IL-2. The role of type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) remains controversial, as is whether alloreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells behave similarly when exposed to type 2 cytokine-enhancing manipulations. We studied the characteristics of alloreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells before and after type 2 immune deviation induced by IL-4 plus anti-IFN-gamma Ab. Alloreactive T cells from naive mice were low in frequency, produced only IL-2, and were predominantly CD4+, while alloreactive T cells from allograft-primed mice were high in frequency, produced IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4, and were predominantly CD8+. Type 2 immune deviation of allospecific CD4+ T cells resulted in IL-4 and IL-5 production without IFN-gamma, consistent with unipolar type 2 immunity. These T cells mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity, but not cytotoxicity. Under identical type 2 cytokine-inducing conditions, allospecific CD8+ T cells were primed to become IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma producers, and exhibited cytotoxicity, but not classic delayed-type hypersensitivity. Adoptive transfer of either cell population into SCID recipients of allogeneic skin resulted in graft rejection, with stable allospecific type 2 cytokine production in vivo. Adoptive transfer of the IL-4/IL-5-producing CD4+ T cells, but not the CD8+ T cells, induced a distinct histopathology characterized by marked eosinophilic infiltration of the skin. We conclude that type 2 immune deviation has differential effects on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and results in emergence of alternate effector mechanisms capable of destroying allografts.
The Journal of Immunology 12/1998; 161(10):5236-44. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia (TPE) is a severe form of allergic asthma caused by the host inflammatory response to filarial helminths in the lung microvasculature, and is characterized by pulmonary eosinophilia, increased filarial-specific IgG and IgE antibodies, and airway hyperresponsiveness. The current study examined the effect of IL-12 on pulmonary eosinophilia, deposition of eosinophil major basic protein and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice inoculated i.v. with Brugia malayi microfilariae. Injection of recombinant murine IL-12 modulated the T helper (Th) response in the lungs from Th2- to Th1-like, with elevated IFN-gamma, and decreased IL-4 and IL-5 production. Consistent with this shift in cytokine response, antigen-specific IgG2a was elevated, and IgG1 and total serum IgE were decreased. In addition, eosinophils in BAL fluid from IL-12 treated mice were reduced from 56% to 11%, and there was no detectable MBP on respiratory epithelial cells. Importantly, IL-12 suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness compared with saline-injected control animals. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrate that by modulating Th associated cytokine production, IL-12 down-regulates filaria-induced lung immunopathology.
Parasite Immunology 11/1998; 20(10):455-62. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Infection with the parasitic helminth Brugia malayi can result in development of a severe asthmatic response termed tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. This disease, thought to result from a host inflammatory response to blood parasites which become trapped in the lung microvasculature, is characterized by a profound eosinophilic infiltration into the lungs. Recruitment of eosinophils also correlates with the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to cholinergic agonists and severe asthmatic symptoms. Our studies examined the role of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in helminth-induced pulmonary eosinophilia and AHR. C57BL/6 mice immunized with killed B. malayi microfilariae and challenged intravenously with live microfilariae exhibit many of the characteristics of human disease, including peripheral and pulmonary eosinophilia. Cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage of sensitized mice consisted of 3.8% eosinophils on day 1 postchallenge and 84% on day 10. Extracellular major basic protein was present on the surface of airway epithelial cells as early as day 1 and continued to be evident after 8 days, indicating sustained activation and degranulation of eosinophils in the lung. These histologic changes correlated with the development of AHR to carbachol. In contrast to immunocompetent mice, immunization and challenge with B. malayi in IL-5(-/-) mice did not induce peripheral or pulmonary eosinophilia, and these mice failed to show AHR in response to cholinergic agonists. Taken together, these data indicate that IL-5 and eosinophils are required for the induction of AHR by filarial helminths.
Infection and Immunity 10/1998; 66(9):4425-30. · 4.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Intrastromal injection of mice with antigens from the parasitic helminth that causes river blindness (Onchocerca volvulus) induces eosinophil recruitment to the corneal stroma at the time of maximum corneal opacification and neovascularization. The present study was conducted to examine the role of eosinophils and neutrophils in onchocercal keratitis in control C57Bl/6 mice and in interleukin-5 gene knockout (IL-5(-/-)) mice.
C57Bl/6 and IL-5(-/-) mice were immunized subcutaneously and injected intrastromally with soluble O. volvulus antigens. Mice were killed at various times thereafter. Development of keratitis was assessed by slit lamp examination, and inflammatory cells in the cornea were identified by immunohistochemistry.
A biphasic recruitment of inflammatory cells was observed in C57Bl/6 mice; neutrophils predominated during the first 72 hours after intrastromal injection and subsequently declined, whereas eosinophil recruitment increased as time elapsed and comprised the majority (90%) of cells in the cornea by day 7. In contrast, neutrophils were the predominant inflammatory cells in IL-5(-/-) mice at early and late time points and were associated with extensive stromal damage and corneal opacification and neovascularization. Eosinophils were not detected in these mice at any time.
In the absence of eosinophils, neutrophils can mediate keratitis induced by helminth antigens. Together with the early neutrophilic infiltrate in control animals, these observations indicate that neutrophils have an important role in onchocercal keratitis.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 07/1998; 39(7):1176-82. · 3.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Onchocercal keratitis (river blindness) is one of the leading worldwide causes of blindness. Light microscopic analysis of human specimens and corneal tissue from experimental models has implicated the eosinophil as an important cell in the inflammatory response. Our previous studies in experimental murine onchocercal keratitis have demonstrated that the inflammatory infiltrate is composed primarily of eosinophils displaying ring shaped or bilobed nuclei. However, a number of cells were not characterizable by light microscopy, presumably due to mechanical distortion. To more fully characterize the inflammatory cell infiltrate, we examined corneal specimens by transmission electron microscopy. In addition to typical eosinophils with bilobed and ring shaped nuclei, this approach revealed cells with variable nuclear morphology and cell shape which contained the dense cored granules characteristic of eosinophils. Hence, the degree of pleomorphism of eosinophils is broader than appreciated and underscores the importance of this cell in experimental murine onchocercal keratitis.
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation 10/1997; 5(3):157-63. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: B7 ligands on APCs engage CD28/CTLA4 counter-receptors on T cells critical for T lymphocyte activation and functional differentiation of T helper subsets. To examine whether the ligands B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) affect gene expression of Th2 cytokines and development of Th2-mediated pathologic tissue reactions, mice were treated with anti-B7-1 or anti-B7-2 at the time of sensitization to footpad inoculation of Schistosoma mansoni eggs or induction of pulmonary granuloma by i.v. injected eggs. Anti-B7-2 treatment inhibited pulmonary granuloma formation by 74% and decreased levels of lung IL-5 and IL-13 transcripts compared with those in animals given control Ig by 20- and 5-fold, respectively, while anti-B7-1 administration has no effect. Anti-B7-2 treatment blocked CD4 cell gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, but had no effect on IFN-gamma or IL-10 in animals inoculated with S. mansoni ova, larvae from the filarial helminth Brugia malayi, or CFA. Anti-B7-1 administration had no effect on CD4 cell transcript levels of IL-4 and IL-5, but inhibited IFN-gamma in mice inoculated with ova. Similar effects of anti-B7-2 on CD4 cell cytokine expression were observed in IL-4 knockout mice, indicating the existence of an alternative pathway for induction and/or expression of these cytokine genes. These findings suggest a possible role for anti-B7-2 in the therapy of infectious and atopic diseases in which immunopathologic reactions are mediated by selected Th2 cytokines.
The Journal of Immunology 07/1997; 158(12):5914-20. · 5.79 Impact Factor
